Provincial elections: PHC summons commissioner

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has summoned the provincial election commissioner to inform the court of steps taken to ensure that IDPs cast their votes in the upcoming general elections.

Following suo motu notice taken over the shortage of basic amenities at the IDP camp in Jalozai, the division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan was told that all the basic needs of the camp’s residents have been met.

Director General of Fata Disaster Management Authority (FDMA), Asghar Khan, said that in addition to health facilities, schools have been set up inside the camps. “The IDPs have also obtained their computerised national identity cards (CNIC),” he added.

On November 21, the court observed that all displaced persons must be given the opportunity to cast their vote. “This is their basic right and they should not be deprived of it,” said Justice Khan. Officials were directed to contact Nadra to issue duplicate CNICs if necessary.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2012.